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Schools Branch, Post Primary Heads' Association
Background
There are currently 54 Post Primary Schools within the North Eastern Education and Library Board, representing controlled, maintained, integrated and the voluntary grammar sectors.
There are currently 54 Post Primary Schools within the North Eastern Education and Library Board, representing controlled, maintained, integrated and the voluntary grammar sectors.
The Post Primary Heads' Association aims to:
- Give a collective voice to all principals in the North Eastern Education and Library Board.
- Provide a forum for discussion of issues of educational concern.
- Create an opportunity for principals from all sectors to exchange views and to speak as one whenever necessary.
- Facilitate awareness raising with particular reference to curricular or pastoral issues.
Membership
All principals automatically become members of the Association on their appointment to a post primary school within the North Eastern Education and Library Board area.
All principals automatically become members of the Association on their appointment to a post primary school within the North Eastern Education and Library Board area.
Strengths
The body has a unique strength in that all sectors are represented in a common forum and are able to explore matters of common interest. The Association has discovered that there is strength in diversity and that insights are often gained from understanding a range of perspectives on issues related to school management and leadership.
The body has a unique strength in that all sectors are represented in a common forum and are able to explore matters of common interest. The Association has discovered that there is strength in diversity and that insights are often gained from understanding a range of perspectives on issues related to school management and leadership.
As an association we are completely independent of the North-Eastern Education and Library Board and are therefore in a position to challenge as well as to support Board policy. Despite valuing this independence we have also enjoyed a very good working relationship with the Board’s senior management and with officers at all levels. The Board, under the leadership of Mr Gordon Topping, has been very supportive of the Association’s work. The administration and the funding of our regular meetings have been provided by Board personnel for which we have been indebted. The Association’s inputs into the Board’s policy making process have proved to be mutually beneficial.
Constitution and Structure
The Association has four main office bearers – Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Minute Secretary. These are elected positions chosen by the membership at an annual general meeting. It has been the custom for office bearers to hold their offices for a two year period to promote stability and consistency of practice. It has also been the custom that the vice-chairperson succeeds as chairperson again with the intention of retaining some continuity of leadership within the Association. There currently exists a planning group which includes office-bearers, co-opted members and is supported by a Board Officer. This group undertakes the planning for meetings of the Association.
The Association has four main office bearers – Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Minute Secretary. These are elected positions chosen by the membership at an annual general meeting. It has been the custom for office bearers to hold their offices for a two year period to promote stability and consistency of practice. It has also been the custom that the vice-chairperson succeeds as chairperson again with the intention of retaining some continuity of leadership within the Association. There currently exists a planning group which includes office-bearers, co-opted members and is supported by a Board Officer. This group undertakes the planning for meetings of the Association.
Activities
The Association meets on average three times each academic year. These meetings are normally half day conferences which focus on current issues of interest or concern.
The Association meets on average three times each academic year. These meetings are normally half day conferences which focus on current issues of interest or concern.
Office Bearers
Chairperson - Mr D Grainger, Coleraine College (028) 7035 7000Vice-Chairperson - Mr D Knox, Ballyclare High School (028) 9332 2244Secretary - Mrs A Bell, Coleraine High School (028) 7034 3178Minute Secretary - Mrs R Clayton, St. Mary's College, Clady (028) 2582 1370
Further information regarding the Association can be obtained from the above.
